Responsible Management Education

PRME Implementation at Graziadio

What is PRME?

The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) is a United Nations-supported
initiative founded in 2007 as a platform to raise the profile of sustainability in
schools around the world, and to equip today's business students with the understanding
and ability to deliver change tomorrow.

As a voluntary initiative with over 650 signatories worldwide, PRME has become the
largest organised relationship between the United Nations and management-related higher
education institutions. Working through Six Principles, PRME engages business and
management schools to ensure they provide future leaders with the skills needed to
balance economic and sustainability goals, while drawing attention to the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning academic institutions with the work of the UN
Global Compact.

2018 Progress Report

As a PRME Advanced Signatory, we see responsible management education as a core competency
and competitive advantage of the Pepperdine Graziadio School. Thus, we see delivering
on this promise as the cornerstone for our strategy going forward, and we expect that
by focusing on creating "Best for the World Leaders," our program will likewise benefit
in a competitive market.

Principle 1 - Purpose

We will develop the capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society at large and to work for an inclusive and sustainable global economy.

Our SEER certificate teaches students to integrate valuable principles including corporate social responsibility, environmental stewardship, financial strength, and quality products/services into their strategic business approach.

We are honored to have received a variety of top recognitions for our attentiveness to the PRME principles including Net Impact's Guide to MBA Programs lists us as a Top 50 for both Environmental Impact Programs and Social Impact Programs.

Principle 2 - Values

We will incorporate into our academic activities and curricula the values of global social responsibility as portrayed in international initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact.

In the 2017-18 academic year we began the process of integrating the Global Mindset Inventory into the MS in Global Business program. The GMI assesses global thinking and cross cultural communication, as well as provides tools for individual improvement on the multiple dimensions.

The Microenterprise Program helps underprivileged members of the Los Angeles community gain business knowledge in order to better their employment situation and launch micro-businesses in the future. Graduate students work as champions in teams of 2-3, coaching individual participants, entrepreneurs-in-training, in such areas as personal development and professional skills, guiding them through the process of developing individualized business plans and launching micro-businesses.

Principle 3 - Method

E2B is a "real-world" intensive learning experience embedded within the curriculum of select classes in the Fully Employed and Full-time MBA programs that allows students to gain "real" experience and access to top company leaders.

The Center for Sustainability received the largest grant from the 2014 Waves of Innovation committee of $150,000 to carry out The Eden Project, the implementation of a green dorm, which was completed in September of 2015.

Principle 4 - Research

We will engage in conceptual and empirical research that advances our understanding about the role, dynamics, and impact of corporations in the creation of sustainable social, environmental and economic value.

Published Work

The faculty at Pepperdine Graziadio has a long tradition of publishing works concerning ethics, social responsibility and environmental sustainability across all disciplines.

Principle 5 - Partnership

We will interact with managers of business corporations to extend our knowledge of their challenges in meeting social and environmental responsibilities and to explore jointly effective approaches to meeting these challenges.

Citing shared "collaborative values and community-focused vision" AEG in 2017 entered into a groundbreaking agreement with Pepperdine University as the exclusive education partner of STAPLES Center, L.A. LIVE, and the LA Kings.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

In the Fall of 2014, three Electric Vehicle Charging Stations were installed on the Malibu campus. Two were installed in the Main Seaver Lot and one in Rho Lot.

Principle 6 - Dialogue

We will facilitate and support dialogue and debate among educators, students, business, government, consumers, media, civil society organizations and other interested groups and stakeholders on critical issues related to global social responsibility and sustainability.

Now in its 4th year, the Future of Healthcare Symposium, organized annually by the Pepperdine Graziadio Board, brings together influential thinkers and experienced practitioners to discuss the innovations and challenges—be they technological, ethical, or controversial— facing today's ever-evolving healthcare sector.

Dean's Executive Leadership Series

The Dean's Executive Leadership Series is designed to bring high-level executives to our community and provide a forum where they can share their views about current business issues.

Net Impact is a global leadership organization committed to nurturing an extensive and influential network of current and future business visionaries who believe in making a profit while working toward a positive social and environmental change.

Principle 7 - Organizational Practices

We understand that our own organizational practices should serve as example of the values and attitudes we convey to our students.

Renovation of Business School Facilities

The facilities for our full-time MBA students in Malibu were refreshed over the summer break in 2017 providing a much needed technology update and a replacement of aging furniture and fixtures with newer, more ergonomically optimal models and layouts.